The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-09-25

should be lett to education and
Christianity, which is repeated in
vn,r open letter to me with this i'm
ION ant modification: Aided BY the
hws which have the sanction OF ex-
,erien.ce." just what laws, is not
,tatd, hence the expression is in
definite. In some sections pro-
iibjtory laws have the sanction Of
many years exp rience and have
wry materially aided these blessed
hind. maidens of virtue and morali-
a." But should the doctrine obtain
tia, the whole question must be left
:, education and religion, IN all log
ital consistency We must repeal
every license law on the statute
books. Why not also trust to re.
lgion and education, to refine
nett and science" Sunday desc
oauop, social purity, larceny, arson,
concealed weapons aud such like
matters against which law thunders
i s prohibition2 Your kin lily words
about the Methodist Chuach South,
which has been to you "an object OF
admiration aud grateful affection"
are duly appreciated. But with the
church l am in perfect accord on
this great question OF moral reform.
You therefore, unduly censure me
lor introducing politics" into the
organization. What you call poll
tics had already been introduced. 10
their address to the last General
Conference the bishops Of the Meth
odlst Episcopal Church South said:
IN country largely governed, as
this is, by the force OF public opin-
ion, il would seem that the day can
not be far off when the laws Of the
land shall effectually protect society
against men who, Tor purposes OF
gain, are ready to destroy the happi.
ness, even the life, of a fellow. being,
We congratulate the church upon
the growth OF a healthy public sen.
time,t for temperance reform, and
that the legal suppression OF the liq-
uor traffic. throughout the South has
been so far effected by the friends OF
temperance outside OF all compiled
ton with party politics"
la response 10 that part OF the
bishops address aud q number OF
memorials OF like import, the Gen
eral Conference adopted the follow
ing:
I'VE rejoice in the widespread aud
precedented interest, both in and
out II the church, in the movement
in behalf OF temperance and prohib.
itory law. The public has awakened
TO the necessity both OF legal and
moral suasion to control the grea,
evils iosiered and stimu ated by the
liquor traffic. We cannot
withhold our emphatic deliverauc,
on the subject, especially in view Of
the pending agitation Of the question
OF prohibition. In view Of wha
the church suffers in her member
ship, in her spiritual life, in hel
homes aud hearts from the destroy
ing power OF drink, il well behooys,
the General Conference TO speak ou
upon this subject in umlstakabl,
terms; therefore.
Resolved, That the General Con
ference Of the Methodist Episcopa
| Church, South, is opposed to th,
manufacture, tale aud use OF intox
icating liquors except for medicina
aud mechanical purposes, aud tina
we will continue TO agitate the sub
ject Of prohibition as q great mora
syestjap In all its. hearings on III
strive with all good citizens aud b
all proper aud honorable means {
banish the horrible evil iromour be
loved church aud country"
You mako the grave charge tina
! have left the pulpit aud Bible b
mount the political rostrum an
plead the higher law OF prohibition
ism-the substitution Of force 10
free will, moral responsibility, III
obligation 20 do unto others as "
would be done by, and the brothorl
| love taught by the weak and lowl
Jesus whom we adore" In othc
words, prohibition, or, as you preie
90 phrase il, the higher law OF pre-
bibitionism," is an enemy 10 Oh
spirit and practice OF true Christiani
~, aud It's advocacy is a compromis
OF ministerial character aud pro
priety. Certainly, honored sir, 20
did not weigh carefully those word
Have you given such special an
profound study TO this subject in II
relation to the Bible az to thu
speak OK cathedra aud convict tho,
sands Of the ablest thoologians an
purost ministers OF the yarioI
, Christian denominations in OF
: country Of soilinR and dishonorir
their priestly rObes2 Surely you Al
not prepared TO charge gre
: churches, with millions OF membo
/ which, Ia their highest assemble
! have made emphatic aud autho
: italiye deliyerabces on the subject
4 prohibition, with departure from u
' teachings u the Holy Scripture
I But be assured, advocate |
4 higher law. aud occupy q positiC
r in 40 wise different from the va
body Of my brothron in the Americi
, pulpit
J. You charge me with having re
n the pulpit aud Bible" lhaye u
]. ~ learn, d Christ. lIis command y"
< render therefore unto Caesar q
i thirgs that are Caesars, aud un
:, Gtd the thugs that are Gods
y imperative. There IL, therefore, :
!. CONFLICT between the duties OF cil
10 Esmhip and Christianity. Chri
II and C@sar are at peace, but Oh,
y Kingdoms are Independent. Mini
J. tiers have no part or place IN par
l. politics, but they cannot be indliiS
ent 10 the public good or relega
l. the duties OF citizenship. All moi
Ge questions, however public. that eac
DO the spiritual life. aud. therefore, d
ternine the destiny OF immorI
IL soils, must be the burden Of min
teral solicitudo and tho themes
n pu pit discourse. Churches, IN III
ar oryAniEed capacity, must never
oil complicated with partisan politics,
Il hive before said, aud on this pro
"a bison question, that the church,
no suih, can never ally herself with a